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An ambitious short film that was the major project for a UTS master's degree has repaid a tricky "mission impossible" production period with great reviews and a series of international festival screenings.

Described by its creators as comedy/fantasy/horror, Alfred J Hemlock is based around the encounter of protagonist Emily (Renaye Loryman) and the "mysterious entity" Alfred J Hemlock (Tristan McKinnon) in a dark alleyway one night.

Director Edward Lyons, who funded the project himself, is thrilled with the film's success so far.

"The Bermuda International Film Festival is an Academy Award qualifying film festival, so we were thrown over backwards when we found out."

Lyons is currently in the US with co-writer and wife Melissa Lyons, where Alfred J Hemlock screened last week at the Dances With Films festival for its North American premiere.

Taking on a larger-scale project like this, though, was never going to be an easy task.

"It was probably the most difficult, problematic, and mission-impossible film I’ve ever made, ever. Everything that could have possibly gone wrong did go wrong. We had everything thrown at us," Lyons said.

But the hours of dedication are paying off. Lyons’ last film, Man on the Edge, was a big hit among film festivals worldwide, winning 10 awards and attracting another 16 nominations. Alfred J Hemlock is beginning a similar world tour and is likely to garner even more prizes.

Lyons looks to his time at UTS, where the film began, as vital inspiration.

"It really helped broaden my horizons and make me aware of work that was really inspiring," he said.

"Also, the teaching that I got and the classes I took were all pretty amazing. I’m really thankful for my time there and I really enjoyed the course."

Valuing the opportunities for collaboration he received himself, Lyons organised for UTS Media Arts and Production students to help out during filming.

He said it was a "great opportunity for students from UTS to be able to work with professionals from the industry, because they’re getting that professional on-set experience plus also making connections."